Takedown
A notorious hacker’s digital thrill-seeking ignites a tense pursuit by the security expert whose systems he penetrates.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- paranoid
- urgent
- stylish
- tech thriller night
- crime movie marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film tense and stylish but formulaic, episodic, and less satisfying than stronger computer thrillers, while its factual accuracy was disputed by Mitnick and others.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film turns Kevin Mitnick's hacking notoriety and alleged exploits into a fact-based pursuit narrative, while its disputed accuracy foregrounds the gap between legend and reality.
Mitnick's intrusions and Shimomura's efforts to track him create the central hacker-versus-hacker chase.
Hacking, IP spoofing, stolen files, software, and government computer systems supply the film's defining suspense imagery and plot mechanics.
The film's portrayal of Mitnick incorporates disputed incidents and media hype, making public narratives about cybercrime part of its cultural context.
Films like Takedown, and why
Antitrust
fact-based crime drama centered on a skilled computer hacker, surveillance, and escalating pursuit
Hackers
computer crime thriller combining hacking, paranoia, and an adversarial pursuit through digital systems
Sneakers
tense, accessible computer thriller about information security and technologically driven crime
Movie Details
- Director
- Joe Chappelle
- Release Date
- 2000-03-15
- Runtime
- 92 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (188)
Cast
- Skeet Ulrich
- Angela Featherstone
- Donal Logue
- Russell Wong
- Christopher McDonald
- Tom Berenger
- Jeremy Sisto
- Amanda Peet
- Cara Buono
- Ethan Suplee
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Takedown about?
- A notorious hacker’s digital thrill-seeking ignites a tense pursuit by the security expert whose systems he penetrates.
- What is Takedown like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Takedown as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Takedown violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Takedown as mild.
- What did critics think of Takedown?
- Critics generally found the film tense and stylish but formulaic, episodic, and less satisfying than stronger computer thrillers, while its factual accuracy was disputed by Mitnick and others.
- Which films are like Takedown?
- Films with a similar feel include Antitrust, Hackers, and Sneakers.
- How long is Takedown?
- Takedown runs 92 minutes.
- Where can I watch Takedown?
- In United States, Takedown is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home.
